Keeping in touch - edition 9

Hi All

It's been a while since I was last in touch with you and I'm sorry for that.  I have just received word that I will be returning to work at the end of next April and although I had wanted to wait until I had more firm plans I wanted to bring you up to speed with what I know at the moment.

We have a full program including at least two of the bank holidays should we want them and your worksite leaders are primed and ready to go.

There are two weekends for your delight: September 3rd-5th brings you September in Snowdonia, staying at the Hendre Isaf Basecamp.  I am currently in the process of finalising this.  On December 10th-12th we return to 2019's Christmas weekend location for Christmas at Calke Abbey.  If these do not go ahead I will sort us a work day out closer to home.

So, hopefully our first workday is on 18th April at Formby.  We'll also be back there in June, September and November.  On 25th April we will be joining Craig who has now returned to Styal with jobs around the estate.  We’ll be there plenty more times in 2021.  Our first longer distance day comes in the form of a trip back to Hardcastle Crags on 16th May.  We'll be back there in June and July too.  On 23rd May we head to the Victorian landscaped gardens at Biddulph Grange Garden.  This will be our only visit to this property in 2021.  On 6th June we return to north Manchester and the Stubbins Estate.  We will also be at Gawthorpe Hall on 11th July.  We will also be at Hayfield in July and once a month every month after that.  August brings us our first of two visits to Speke Hall and we will be back there in October too.

On 22nd August we will be heading for our only trip of the year to Marsden Moor.  On 3rd October there's a trip to Erddig.  Only one visit there this year because they are down a member of staff at the moment but hope to be back up to full strength.  Our last workday will be on 19th December at Lyme with our Chairman Daniel who is renowned for his delicious cake.  The rest of the dates will be on the website soon.

For those with volunteer cards we have had it on good authority that until we can get new cards, cards that expired in March 2020 are still valid until you get a new card.

Now for some fun, we have a virtual quiz coming to you on 9th April.  The committee have written some splendid questions!  If you would like to join us then please let us know by 8th April.  The first round is attached for you all to have a go at even if you can't join us on the night.

Tomorrow (28th March) we should have been at Styal.  They have many tasks that they need our help with and are looking forward to having us back.  They were the first to have us back in September after restrictions in the UK were lifted last time.  Here are a couple of photos from that day:

We hope to see as many of you as possible on a workday this year.  If you have signed up and not yet joined us on a day then let 2021 be that year.

We hope to be in touch with you around Easter to let you know when our first workday will be.

But for now keep safe and well.

Ally - MNTV Program Planner

On behalf of your MNTV Committee